Automobile top or kooe



sept' 2 v AUTOMOBILE TOP Carnon? Filed lay 8. 1919 Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH LEDWINKA, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 EDWARD G.

BUDD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F PHILADELPHIA,

ronA'noN or rENNBYLvANIA.

PENNSYLVANIA, A QOH,-

AUTOMOBILE TOP 0R ROOF. i

Application tiled Hay 8,

To all whom it 41u14/ concern.'

Be it known that I, Josemi LenwiNnA, a citizen of the United States, residinglr at Philadelphia, in the eounty of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have made a certain new and 'useful Invention in Automobile Tops or Roofs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automobile roofs or tops for automobiles or other vehicles.

The further object of the invention is to provide e top or roof structure for antoniohiles and other vehicles which is simple in structure, economical to manufacture, and light in weight, easily handled and applied.

A further object of the inventionis to provide a unitary structure shaped both longitudinally and transversely to the desired contour to form a self-sustained root for automobiles or other vehicles.

A further object ot' the invention is to provide a root' structure of the character referred to which does not develop an objectionable noise or hunx when the vehicle is operated.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawing. and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the drawing;-

Fig. 1 is a vievv in side elevation of a top or roof for an automobilel o1' other vehicle constructed in accordame with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the saine, :i portion of the top or covering removed.

lt is a common practice in the automobile manufacturing art to construct the roofs ol' autoinooilee` und other vehicles of the limousine or u'intcr top type ot' wood or wooden strips to which n covering of leather or other material is appliml. wooden top or roof is expensive to Inalv'c. consumes limia in the manufacture thereof in the handlingr und assembling of the various parts, and. moreover, is not as strong and durable as u metallic roof or top. lt has heretofore heen proposed to forni ther root' or top ol' a ehi-et metal stamping. llxperience, however. has

1919. Serial H0. 295,532.

shown that a sheet metal root' or top is heavy und develops an undesirable noise or hum when the vehicle is heilig operated, particularly over rough roads, throu h the vibrations thereby set up in the roo or top sheet metal stamping. It is among the special purposes of" my present invention to avoid these objections and to provide a light, strong and durable top or roof structure for automobiles and other vehicles, wherein in place of the wooden and sheet metal stampingr structures heretofore employed I use a wire screen or foraminated or reticulated top or roof structure. This roof structure further offers the special advantage, not only of being sufficiently ri id to heself supportine, but makes it possi le to forni a complete supporting frame in one operation. which can be dipped and enameled or baked as a unitary structure at a great savingI of time and expense. i

The cnamehng may be done by dipping the shaped roof structure into an enameling mixture, or by otherwise applying it, after which it is baked at a suitable temperature to form a smooth and firm coating, which gives additional rigidity and a very Ydesirable finish.

In carrying out my invention aforaminous, reticulated or wire screen body 3 is stamped or pressed into the desired shape and contour to form a complete roof strueture or top. lf desired. the screen body may he provided with a suitable border or rim 4. To the roof or top .stamped out, Shaped and formed as above described. a top or covering,r 5 ot leather, canvas or other suitable material is applied.

liv this construction I secure an exceedingly light, simple, strong and effective top nl nmml'aeiured from any ordinary wire netting or screening of the desired weight and thickness. :ind which does not develop the Qbjcuiomiblc vibration. huui und noise incident to the use ol' sheet nlclal Stamped tops or roofs.

Having nou' set forth the objects and nalnrc of mi' invention. and u construction emhorlving' the principles thereof. what l Claim a3 new and uscl'ul. and of myY own invention, und desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

l.. uuitaniY sell-sustained roof structure root' which can be easily and quickly,

for autoniobilebodies, t'oinprising :i retienlated metatllixfsnpporting body having at metallic border rim, and pressed into the de I`Sired longitudinal and transverse sha )e and contour, and having a. cover applied tiiereto.

2. A. roof for automobiles andother vehicles comprising a foi-ominous. reticnlated or screenbody pressed into the required longitudinal and transverse shape and contour to form a unitary structure. und a cover applied to Suid structure.

3. A roof for automobiles und other vehicles comprising a foraininous. reticnlated or screen body pleased into the reinired longitudinal and transverse shape :ind contour to forni :i unitary structure, und il,

body of the automobile or vehicle as :l Vroottherefor. und pressed into the desired shape and contour in tbe direction of` length thereof as well :1s transversely.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my band on this 30th day of April, A. D., 1919.

Josemi Liaoivrxm. 

